SEASIDE IN ITALY
The cool breeze coming into the room as I write this reminds me how far we are from our July trip to the south of Italy. Warm days and warm nights. The relentless heat that will melt your gelato if you don’t slurp it up quickly.
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SIMPLY 60
Most of my friends are all turning 60 this year. Simply 60. Has a warm ring to it doesn’t it? Could it be the name for a popular new TV show? Perhaps a new drug; “Simply 60… Something wonderful to sooth what ails you”. I’m not sure I’m able to get my head around it quite yet.
In a few weeks it will be my turn, but on this weekend in Algonquin Park we were there to celebrate my dear (old) friend Gary’s milestone along with his wife Gill and my sweetheart (not even near 60) Alice.
What better way to enter into your sixth decade than with old friends, savouring the sheer magnitude of something much bigger than any of us (that would be you mother nature). And because this was Arowhon Pines, the food was both magnificent and plentiful. if we couldn’t eat like we did in our thirties we certainly gave it our best effort.
We tend to mark our big birthdays with something important, something that we’ll remember. Or we don’t. I’m more in the latter camp. More of a “call me from my cave when it’s over” sort of guy.
At another dining table they were celebrating a fellow’s 95th birthday. They’ve come every year to honour him (father, grandfather and great-grandfather). I think that’s wonderful. He was still pretty agile for a 95 year old and he looked like the happiest guy there. Maybe that’s the secret. Every decade is a good decade, every year is a good year. Every day a good day. Carpe diem!
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KANSAS CITY, MORE THAN JUST BBQ
Business or pleasure. The line sometimes blur for us when we’re in a city that’s known for its good food.
Flying in from Toronto where it’s been one of the coldest, wettest and miserable springs on record, we landed in Kansas City to 90ºF temperatures. It was feeling pretty tropical.
But what I noticed most on the first days was the quality of the light. It was like being in Portugal or Barcelona all over again. Man do I miss the sun living in grey Toronto.
My photo time was limited to the 10 minute walk to the convention centre and back to our hotel. The days would be spent working, but at night Alice and I ventured to several good to very good barbecue joints.
In Kansas City everyone you meet has an opinion on where the best barbecue is. We only had four nights but alas, after two substantial barbecue meals we were brisket and pork ribbed out (clearly, we are in the minor leagues of bbq).
Our stay was just too short to really get a handle on the food scene. But I can say the architecture and the vibe in the city was terrific. A visit to Knuckleheads capped off the five days watching my childhood favourite Burton Cummings.
I know they’ve got all kinds of violent crime issues in Kansas City but from a photography perspective, it’s a place I would gladly go back to. Free public transportation in the city, clean streets and stunning and well maintained old buildings. And of course there’s the barbecue.
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A SPECIAL PLACE CALLED QUEST U
There’s lots of special places in this world, this post is about a special place called Quest University. Never heard of it? Join the club, not many have.
For the last four years my eldest son Maximilian has called Quest U home. Nestled in the foothills of Squamish, British Columbia, this is a special place indeed. Of course the surrounding mountainside and gorgeous architecture have something to do with it. But there’s more. Much more.
As a parent, you can only hope that your child will go to University and come back a man (or a women). I know that sounds a bit rich, but I’ve witnessed a transformation that was both breathtaking and beautiful.
Along the way Max figured out how to survive on his own; how to shop for food and cook (why ruin the nice story, so we won’t mention cleaning ;) but mostly how to survive on his own in the thousand little ways that requires.
So this story is about that, but it’s also about his education. About the mind expanding nature of a good old liberal art’s curriculum. I believe he’s the better person for it… job opportunities be damned (which by the way he’s done quite well with so far landing a two year Masters degree at the University of Waterloo in Mathematics along with a summertime internship with autonomoose).
But this story has many layers and maybe the best one of them all is about Three Friends. Maximilian, Claire and Kristophe. Three kids from three very different places (Toronto, ON, Breckenridge, CO, Hearst, ON) and backgrounds. Yet they came together at this special place to form a unique bond, living together for the last three years and becoming the very best of friends. I believe lifelong friends.
And finally this story is about the three friends and their incredible families, coming together over a few days in May to celebrate. To acknowledge their triumphs… to take their victory lap, because that’s what it was.
So a very big and hearty congratulations to these three awesome young people. And a very special thank you to Quest University for creating this magical kingdom that nurtured and cared for our children. We are in your debt.
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BABY ELLIOTT
It seems fitting that the first post on this new Squarespace website is dedicated to Elliott, my grand-nephew. There’s not much you can say about a new born. They’re cute and cuddly, and they need a whole boat load of time, energy, patience and love.
For sure Elliott chose the right parents for all of those needs. And I can confirm that Elliott has a very good set of lungs as well. Welcome to the world my dear boy.
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THANKSGIVING 2018
I'm writing this on November 11th, Remembrance Day here in Canada. Today marks the 100th anniversary of the ending of the first world war. Commonly referred to as the war to end all wars.
It seems appropriate to finally be getting around to posting a few Thanksgiving images from last months trip to Port Cunnington, Ontario just outside of Algonquin Park. Today should also be called Thanksgiving. Here's a thought, let's call every day Thanksgiving and hope we keep everyone in the moment and maybe prevent all the crazy world leaders from starting WWIII.
Over dim sum this morning we took a moment (a minute actually) to stand up and honour those that fought and made the ultimate sacrifice for their country. For the first time in my life the thought that we've learned nothing from the last 100 years seemed too real.
So today I'll give thanks again and again and again. And I will remember again and again and again.
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IAN MACDONALD WORKSHOP
A big thank you to Ian MacDonald - @ianmacdonaldphotography - for a wonderful 2-1/2 days in mid August. The recent workshop was held in downtown Toronto, beside myself there were 10 other willing photographers.
Always a great experience learning from a new instructor and Ian was a willing and gracious host with lots of terrific tips.
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